"No, Uncle, I can't accept this. It's better for you and the villagers to use this money to build prayer houses and irrigate the rice fields. I, as you and the villagers consider me a brother, is the most precious gift," Dezo said, returning the package to Karim.
Karim couldn't speak any more and immediately embraced the warrior with affection, as if hugging his own son. Everyone present was moved.
From the side, a young villager appeared jogging, pulling a horse.
"Master Warrior, I hope you won't refuse this time. Please accept this horse, for your journey!" he exclaimed, handing it to Dezo.
"Thank you, my brother," Dezo said, hugging the young man who had given him the horse. Then, he excused himself, waving to everyone present. "Goodbye!" Just as Dezo was about to jump onto the horse's back, someone behind the row of villagers suddenly called out.
Dezo turned toward the voice, and saw a beautiful girl walking through the crowd. Dezo smiled, knowing that the voice calling him was Seruni. As soon as Seruni was in front of him, she untied the gold necklace around her neck, then took the warrior's hand and slipped it into his.
"What are you doing, Seruni?" Dezo refused to let go of her hand.
"This is a souvenir from me, please accept it!" Dezo shook his head, released her grip, and rewrapped the necklace around the beautiful girl's neck.
"My beautiful sister, the most beautiful souvenir is seeing you smile instead of looking gloomy and pouting," Dezo teased, pinching the girl's cheeks and nose.
The girl's face immediately turned red, as Dezo had teased her in the midst of the villagers, the Duke, and his parents. Applause echoed, making Seruni even more awkward and embarrassed.
"The season when the wind howls...! Bringing you back here...! How long will we be wrapped in longing...! Until the love of our hearts returns...!" The applause grew louder after the girl finished her rhyme.
"Please accept this handkerchief, Uda. I hope you don't forget us here!" the girl continued.
"I promise I will never forget you and all the people here!" Clutching the purple handkerchief, Dezo kissed the girl's forehead and hugged her tightly.
Tears of emotion once again appeared on the beautiful maiden's face, as did everyone else there. As a human being, Dezo also had feelings, and those feelings were there, trembling within his heart. However, because of the trust from his Master and his noble duty, he tried hard to control all the feelings that arose.
After releasing his embrace from the beautiful maiden, Dezo jumped onto his horse and rode away. Everyone's still-wet eyes remained glued to the departing warrior; to them, Dezo was a hero they would never forget. Dezo and his horse went further and further away, until they were no longer visible in the drizzle that was falling increasingly heavily that afternoon.
******
In the valley of Mount Kerinci lies a vast expanse of rice fields, while the slopes up to the summit are lush with various types of trees. Not far from the rice fields are several densely populated villages. These villages are encompassed within a single area called Sungai Penuh.
The residents' livelihood is generally farming, and any trade is limited to small stalls or shops. There are also numerous martial arts schools (sandepokan) that produce young warriors, both from the white and black factions. Because the two factions are evenly matched, disputes and displays of supernatural powers are not uncommon.
Initially, these were simply displays of prowess, but over time, they developed into rivalries and a desire for dominance, leading to widespread bloodshed.
Among the many hermitages, two are particularly well-known in the area: the Harimau Kumbang and Rajawali Sakti. The Harimau Kumbang are notorious for their cruelty and often cause unrest among the locals. They are run by black-skinned warriors led by a ruthless and cruel figure named Bagas Dipa. Their laziness often leads them to abuse the locals, and robberies and rapes are common occurrences.
Meanwhile, the Rajawali Sakti hermitage is run by white-skinned warriors led by an elderly man named Sentanu. His students and the locals often call him Ki Sentanu.
This figure, in addition to possessing advanced knowledge, is also devout to his religious teachings, a practice he instills in his students, in addition to martial arts. Ki Sentanu's students are young men who are diligent farmers, and they often help residents experiencing food shortages. In a large building with a thick thatched roof and plank walls, a carved wooden statue of a black tiger's head stood at the very front of the roof. Inside, several people were gathered, most of them sitting in rows on two sides on a long bench.
Meanwhile, at the end of the long bench, right in the middle, was a bench with various carvings. Sitting there was a tall, muscular figure with a fierce face and long, messy hair. This figure was Bagas Dipa.
"Starting tomorrow morning and for the next few days, I'm going somewhere. I expect you to guard this hermitage in shifts!" Bagas Dipa shouted to his men, who were sitting in rows to his left and right.
"Yes, Chief, we will guard this hermitage in shifts," his men said in unison, but none of them dared to ask where their Chief was going.
******
Although the roof was only made of leaves, it was neatly arranged with unique artistic weaving. The air inside felt cool thanks to the long windows on each wall.
The floor was bare, dirt, but clean and dustless. Inside the room were several beds and chairs made of woven bamboo and rattan. On the beds, an old man appeared, facing out the window, gazing at several men diligently practicing martial arts. A moment later, a girl jogged into the room and approached the old man, who was sitting stretched out on the bed...